Merganzer Fishing Charters
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Merganzer Fishing Charters

Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 34 reviews
South Harbor Place
Waukegan IL, United States

Merganzer Fishing Charters offers full-service fishing experiences at a variety of lengths, heading onto Lake Michigan for Salmon, Trout, and Perch. The focus of each trip is to make sure everyone has a fun and productive time on the water, no matter their age or experience level. So get down to the dock, and get ready for some of the best fishing Lake Michigan has to offer!

There is no better place to enjoy the beauty of the Great Lakes than aboard Captain Daryl’s 34 Tiara cruiser. The vessel is large and spacious enough to carry 6 guests in complete comfort, and has an air-conditioned interior with a cabin, galley, enclosed head, and plenty of space to relax in the cool on a hot summer’s day.

This is not just some pleasure cruise, however, the vessel has been set up for targeting the best and biggest the lake has to offer, and comes equipped with everything from GPS and Fishfinder to outriggers and downriggers to make sure you get the best angling experience fishing for the delicious fish which inhabit the lake.

The thing that sets Merganzer Fishing Charters apart from the pack is the skill and care with which each trip is run. Captain Daryl has been fishing Lake Michigan for over 30 years, and has been running charters for almost two decades. He is joined on each trip by his energetic and experienced first mate, and the two of them will work with you from the moment you book to make sure your trip is as special as it can be.

All trips come with tackle and bait, just remember to bring your fishing license with all necessary stamps, and a big cooler to take all your catch home in at the end of the day!

  • You Keep Catch
  • Toilet
  • Child Friendly
  • Air Conditioning
  • Ice Box
  • Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Fri-Sat-Sun
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Fri, Sat, Sun)
    $800
    Spend the day on Lake Michigan! This 8 hour dock to dock trip will give you enough time to aim for your limits of fish and bring home some delicious Salmon.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Fri-Sun (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Fri, Sat, Sun)
    $690
    Spend the afternoon on Lake Michigan, fishing for local species such as Salmon, Trout, and Perch.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    $690
    Get out on Lake Michigan, and target great local species such as Salmon, Trout, and Perch.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Sat-Sun (AM) 6 MAX
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    $630
    Get out on the water with family or friends, and fish Lake Michigan for Salmon, Trout, and Perch.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Sat-Sun (PM) 6 MAX
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    $630
    Spend a sunny weekend afternoon fishing for Salmon, Trout, and Perch on Lake Michigan. It doesn't get any better than this!
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Mon-Thur (PM) 4-6 Ppl
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
    $600
    5 hour, 4-6 person afternoon trip
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun (AM/PM) 4 MAX
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    $600
    This trip is for 4 or less.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Mon-Thur (PM) 3 MAX
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
    $550
    This is a 5 hour trip for a maximum of 3 people.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun (AM) 3 Max
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    $550
    The departure time can be agreed upon with the captain. 3 people maximum.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun (PM) 3 Max
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    $550
    The departure time can be agreed upon with the captain. 3 people maximum.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Mon-Thur (PM) 2 Max
    In demand! Last booked: 4 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
    $450
    This is a trip and price for 2 people max.
There are 9 people looking at this charter.

About the Captain

Daryl Szyska
Waukegan, Illinois, United States
40 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
34 Customer Reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since May 2017
I have been living the fishing and hunting lifestyle my entire life, and have been fishing Lake Michigan for over 30 years. I want people to catch fish, so whatever we need to do to make your day both enjoyable and productive, we will get it done.

About this listing

Targeted Species

Lake Trout Lake Trout
Perch (Yellow) Perch (Yellow)
Salmon Salmon
Salmon (Chinook) Salmon (Chinook)

Salmon (Coho) Salmon (Coho)

Boat Specs

Tiara (Cruiser) originally built in 1987. Powered by 2 350HP Mercury Cruiser engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 28 knots.

Length
34 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of Fishing

Lake Fishing

Fishing Techniques

Trolling
Spinning
Jigging

Amenities

Toilet
Air Conditioning
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Multimedia System
Outriggers
Ice Box
Toilet
Air Conditioning
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Kitchen

Trip Includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
First Mate

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

Customers can cancel or modify their booking up to 3 days before the trip date free of charge. If the trip is canceled or modified later, or in the event of a no-show, 100% of the deposit will be charged.

Listing Policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
Pay remaining balance to captain
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
Cash
Visa
Mastercard
PayPal

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, there is a 2% fee.

Waukegan Fishing Calendar

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Recent Fishing Reports

Weekend was good
Weekend was good
June 12, 2021
This weekend every trip had actiom
Cohos and kings
Cohos and kings
May 23, 2021
Fish and bait are here. Kings are here not in strong numbers , June and July should be good.

Customer Reviews

Rating Summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (68)
4.91
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
out of 5 stars from 34 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Crew
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Experience
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
5-Hour Trip with Capt. Daryl
Afternoon 5 Hour Trip, Captain Daryl
Afternoon 5 Hour Trip, Captain Daryl
+65
Angler Rating
30
1
1
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
95%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
91%
Satisfied with the boat
95%
Catch intended fish
89%
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Showing:
5 of 34 reviews
Brooke P.
Third Lake, IL
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent  5.00
Experience:
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Boat
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Crew
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Overall

Afternoon 5 Hour Trip, Captain Daryl

VERIFIED   NEW  5 Hour Trip – Sat-Sun (PM) 6 MAX on June 5, 2021
We had a fantastic time.  Daryl and Craig are great.  So knowledgeable, helpful and Friendly.  We caught 9 fish in 5 hours. ...
Brooke P. recommends Merganzer Fishing Charters
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You found this helpful
  Daryl Szyska Captain replied
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Mark M.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   July 25, 2020
The charter operator canceled 1 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting
Mark as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this helpful
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this helpful
Mary T.
Rockford, IL
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent  5.00
Experience:
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Boat
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Crew
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Overall

A full day out - 15 fish

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip – Fri-Sun on July 11, 2020
Had a great time with Captain and his first mate Craig.  Both men are fully experienced in Salmon/Trout fishing.  While everybody...
Mary T. recommends Merganzer Fishing Charters
Mark as helpful
You found this helpful
  Daryl Szyska Captain replied
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Mark A.
Orland Park, IL
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent  5.00
Experience:
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Boat
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Crew
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Overall

6 Hour Trip

VERIFIED   NEW  6 Hour Trip – Fri-Sun (PM) on May 30, 2021
Terrific experience fishing with Captain Daryl.  Very knowledgable, highly experienced captain.  We had a great time and...
Mark A. recommends Merganzer Fishing Charters
Mark as helpful
You found this helpful
  Daryl Szyska Captain replied
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Kyle T.
Chicago, IL
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent  5.00
Experience:
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Boat
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Crew
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Overall

5-Hour Trip with Capt. Daryl

VERIFIED   NEW  5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun (PM) 3 Max on June 6, 2021
Capt. Daryl kept us on the fish all day and wasn’t shy about educating our group. Will definitely be back soon!
Kyle T. recommends Merganzer Fishing Charters
Mark as helpful
You found this helpful
  Daryl Szyska Captain replied
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FAQs about Merganzer Fishing Charters

Merganzer Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • $450 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Mon-Thur (PM) 2 Max (5 hours)
  • $550 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun (AM) 3 Max (5 hours)
  • $550 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Mon-Thur (PM) 3 MAX (5 hours)
  • $550 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun (PM) 3 Max (5 hours)
  • $600 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun (AM/PM) 4 MAX (5 hours)
  • $600 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Mon-Thur (PM) 4-6 Ppl (5 hours)
  • $630 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Sat-Sun (AM) 6 MAX (5 hours)
  • $630 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Sat-Sun (PM) 6 MAX (5 hours)
  • $690 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Fri-Sun (PM) (6 hours)
  • $690 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun (AM) (6 hours)
  • $800 per group - 8 Hour Trip – Fri-Sat-Sun (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Merganzer Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Air Conditioning
  • GPS (Ray Marine Axiom)
  • Fishfinder (Ray Marine Axiom)
  • Bed
  • Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Multimedia System
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
Trips booked with Merganzer Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • First Mate
Merganzer Fishing Charters offers the following type of fishing:
  • Lake Fishing
Merganzer Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
Top targeted fish species with Merganzer Fishing Charters include:
  • Lake Trout
  • Perch (Yellow)
  • Salmon
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)